Qatar’s star weightlifter Fares Ibrahim yesterday said he feels confident of a good performance when he competes today in the 102kg at Qatar Cup IWF Grand Prix II.
In training mode for some time now, the 25-year-old will be a genuine threat to his rivals seeking to impress at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifying tournament currently taking place at Aspire Zone. The high-stakes competition has attracted 402 male and female lifters representing more than 100 countries. Fares is set to compete in the 102kg competition starting at 6pm today. “I am confident of doing well,” he said after an extensive training session yesterday. He added that his sights are firmly set on breaking his own personal record.
Having already secured a qualification ticket for the 2024 Paris Olympics through his impressive performance at the World Championships in Saudi Arabia in September, Fares is motivated to push his limits and achieve even greater heights.
“We are all eagerly awaiting his performance and we wish him the very best of luck in securing another remarkable performance,” a Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF) official said.
In a remarkable display of strength and determination, Fares won the silver medal in the 102kg competition at the World Championships in Saudi Arabia. Lifting an impressive 218kg, Fares achieved a historic first: becoming the first Gulf weightlifter to ever win a medal at the prestigious competition.
The silver medal success in Saudi Arabia was an extension of Fares; amazing journey that has seen him participate in three consecutive Olympic Games. From his debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 to his historic gold medal win in Tokyo 2020 – where he set an Olympic record of 402kg – Fares has consistently proven his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport.
In medal competitions yesterday, Turkmenistan lifter Shahzadbek Matyakubov, just 19, won the men’s 96kg class with an overall lift of 371kg (167 snatch and 204kg clean & jerk). Armenia’s Davit Hovhannisyan (370kg, 170kg snatch and 200kg clean & jerk) finished in second spot. North Korea’s Tae Bong Yang settled for third spot (362kg, 161kg snatch and 201kg clean & jerk)
In the women’s 76kg competition, North Korea’s Chun Hui Jong clinched three gold medals following her overall lift of 250kg (115kg snatch and 135kg clean & jerk). Lithuania’s Gintare Brazaite finished second (225kg, 100kg snatch and 125kg clean & jerk) while American Alexia Gonzalez (207kg overall, 93kg snatch and 114kg clean & jerk) was third-best.